Pedal operation detecting device

ABSTRACT

A pedal operation detecting device includes an input member which moves in a first direction in accordance with movement of an operating pedal; a plate-shaped member having a first surface and a second surface, the input member being connected to a central portion of the second surface, and the operating force from the operating pedal being input to the central portion of the second surface, toward one side in the first direction; a limiting unit connected to the second surface so that, when the operating force is input to the plate-shaped member, the plate-shaped member deforms resiliently into a convex shape having an apex portion at a central portion of the first surface, and which limits movement of the plate-shaped member toward the one side in the first direction; and an operating force detecting unit which detects the operating force on the basis of strain in the plate-shaped member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pedal operation detecting device.

BACKGROUND ART

A pedal operation detecting device which detects an operating forceinput to an operating pedal on the basis of strain generated in a memberconnected to the operating pedal is conventionally known.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. 2001-278021

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problems

In this type of pedal operation detecting device, a deformed mode of amember connected to the operating pedal might affect detection accuracyof the operating force. Therefore, with this type of pedal operationdetecting device, it would be meaningful if a novel configuration whichmay easily improve the detection accuracy of the operating force inputto the operating pedal may be obtained.

Solutions to Problems

A pedal operation detecting device of an embodiment is provided with asupport unit, an input member connected to an operating pedal whichmoves with respect to the support unit when an operating force is inputto move in a first direction in accordance with the movement of theoperating pedal, a plate-shaped member in a plate shape with a thicknessdirection in the first direction including a first surface on one sidein the first direction and a second surface on the other side in thefirst direction with the input member connected to a central portion ofthe second surface to input the operating force from the operating pedalto the central portion of the second surface toward one side in thefirst direction, a limiting unit connected to the plate-shaped membersuch that the plate-shaped member deforms resiliently into a convexshape having an apex portion at a central portion of the first surfacewhen the operating force is input from the input member to theplate-shaped member, the limiting unit limiting movement of theplate-shaped member toward one side in the first direction, a resilientportion connected to the plate-shaped member to generate a resilientforce against the operating force, and an operating force detecting unitwhich detects strain generated in the plate-shaped member and detectsthe operating force on the basis of the detected strain. Therefore, forexample, in a case where the operating force is input from the inputmember to the plate-shaped member, the plate-shaped member deformsresiliently into the convex shape having the apex portion at the centralportion of the first surface, so that detection accuracy of the straingenerated in the plate-shaped member may be easily improved. Therefore,detection accuracy of the operating force input to the operating pedalis easily improved. Also, as a contact area between the input member andthe plate-shaped member is narrower, a biased load is less likely to beapplied to the plate-shaped member, so that the detection accuracy ofthe strain generated in the plate-shaped member is easily improved.

Also, in the pedal operation detecting device, for example, theoperating force detecting unit includes a strain detecting element fixedto the plate-shaped member at a position close to a central portion ofthe plate-shaped member between the central portion of the plate-shapedmember and an outer peripheral edge of the plate-shaped member to detectthe strain generate in the plate-shaped member. Therefore, for example,the detection accuracy of the strain generated in the plate-shapedmember is easily improved. Therefore, detection accuracy of theoperating force input to the operating pedal is easily improved. Also,since the input member and the plate-shaped member are connected to eachother in the central portion of the plate-shaped member, and the straindetecting elements are fixed around the central portion of theplate-shaped member, in a case where the operating force is input fromthe input member to the plate-shaped member, a strain amount of thestrain detecting element may be increased, so that the detectionaccuracy of the strain generated in the plate-shaped member may beeasily improved.

Also, in the pedal operation detecting device, for example, theresilient portion includes a resilient member connected to the firstsurface and pushes the plate-shaped member toward the other side in thefirst direction. Therefore, for example, a reaction force of theoperating force input to the operating pedal may be generated by theresilient member.

Also, the pedal operation detecting device is provided with, forexample, an operating amount detecting unit, in which the support unitsupports the plate-shaped member so as to be movable in the firstdirection, the resilient member is interposed between the support unitand the first surface, and the operating amount detecting unit detectsthe movement of the plate-shaped member in the first direction anddetects an operating amount of the operating pedal on the basis of thedetected movement of the plate-shaped member. Therefore, for example,since the plate-shaped member is used for detecting the operating forceand detecting the operating amount, it is easy to inhibit the pedaloperation detecting device from becoming large.

Also, in the pedal operation detecting device, for example, theresilient member is connected to the first surface in a positionseparated from a connecting portion between the second surface and theinput member as seen in the first direction. Therefore, for example, itis possible to generate the strain in a portion between the input memberand the resilient member in the plate-shaped member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a pedal device according to a firstembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pedal detecting deviceaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a second surface side of a plate-shapedmember according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a first surface side of the plate-shapedmember of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the pedal detecting device according tothe first embodiment, a cross-sectional view illustrating a state inwhich the plate-shaped member deforms resiliently.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pedal detecting deviceaccording to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the pedal detecting device according tothe second embodiment, a cross-sectional view illustrating a state inwhich a plate-shaped member deforms resiliently.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pedal detecting deviceaccording to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the pedal detecting device according tothe third embodiment, a cross-sectional view illustrating a state inwhich a plate-shaped member deforms resiliently.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pedal detecting deviceaccording to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the pedal detecting device according tothe fourth embodiment, a cross-sectional view illustrating a state inwhich a plate-shaped member deforms resiliently.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pedal detecting deviceaccording to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating the pedal detecting device according tothe fifth embodiment, a cross-sectional view illustrating a state inwhich a plate-shaped member deforms resiliently.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pedal detecting deviceaccording to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating the pedal detecting device according tothe sixth embodiment, a cross-sectional view illustrating a state inwhich a plate-shaped member deforms resiliently.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are hereinafterdisclosed. The configurations of the embodiments described below andactions and effects brought about by the configurations are examples.The present invention may also be realized by a configuration other thanthe configurations disclosed in the following embodiments. Also,according to the present invention, at least one of various effectsobtained by the configurations may be obtained.

Also, in a plurality of embodiments disclosed below, similar componentsare included. In the following description, the same reference numeralsare assigned to the similar components, and explanations are notoverlapped.

First Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a pedal device 1 is provided with an operatingpedal 2 and a pedal operation detecting device 3 connected to theoperating pedal 2. In this embodiment, for example, the pedal device 1is provided in a vehicle. The operating pedal 2 is, for example, a brakepedal or an accelerator pedal. The pedal operation detecting device 3detects an operating force input to the operating pedal 2 and anoperating amount of the operating pedal 2. Hereinafter, the operatingforce input to the operating pedal 2 is sometimes simply referred to asthe operating force, and the operating amount of the operating pedal 2is sometimes simply referred to as the operating amount.

The operating pedal 2 is rotatably supported by a vehicle body (notillustrated). The operating pedal 2 includes a pad portion 2 a and anarm portion 2 b. The pad portion 2 a is fixed to one end of the armportion 2 b. The other end of the arm portion 2 b is supported by asupport shaft 4 so as to be rotatable around the support shaft 4extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to a first directionD. That is, the operating pedal 2 is provided so as to be rotatablearound the support shaft 4. The support shaft 4 is connected to thevehicle body. Herein, the first direction D is, for example, in afront-back direction of the vehicle. One side (right side in FIGS. 1 and2) in the first direction D is a front side of the vehicle, and theother side (left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) in the first direction D is aback side of the vehicle. When an operator depresses the pad portion 2 atoward one side (the right side in FIG. 1) in the first direction D, theoperating pedal 2 rotates around the support shaft 4 and the pad portion2 a moves toward one side in the first direction D. Meanwhile, the firstdirection D may be in a direction orthogonal to the front-back directionof the vehicle.

The pedal operation detecting device 3 is positioned on one side in thefirst direction D of the operating pedal 2. As illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2, the pedal operation detecting device 3 is provided with a supportunit 10, an operating force detecting unit 11, a plate-shaped member 20,an input unit 12, a limiting unit 13, a resilient portion 15, and anoperating amount detecting unit 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the support unit 10 includes a cylindricalportion 10 a and a wall portion 10 b. The cylindrical portion 10 a isformed into an annular shape around a central axis Ax in the firstdirection D and extends in the first direction D. The wall portion 10 bis fixed to an end on one side in the first direction D of thecylindrical portion 10 a. The wall portion 10 b is formed into a diskshape extending in the direction orthogonal to the first direction D,and closes an opening on one side in the first direction D of thecylindrical portion 10 a. The support unit 10 is fixed to a vehiclebody. Therefore, the operating pedal 2 moves (rotates) with respect tothe support unit 10. The support unit 10 may also be referred to as asupport member or a housing.

The input unit 12 includes a moving body 30 and a resilient member 32.The moving body 30 and the resilient member 32 are put into an innerspace of the cylindrical portion 10 a. The moving body 30 is located onthe other side in the first direction D of the wall portion 10 b so asto be spaced apart from the wall portion 10 b. The resilient member 32is located between the moving body 30 and the wall portion 10 b. Theresilient member 32 is an example of an input member.

The moving body 30 is formed into a disk shape extending in thedirection orthogonal to the first direction D. The moving body 30 issupported by the cylindrical portion 10 a so as to be movable (slidable)in the first direction D. The moving body 30 is connected to the armportion 2 b of the operating pedal 2 via a connecting member 31 and aclevis 33. The moving body 30 moves in the first direction D inaccordance with the movement of the operating pedal 2. In detail, whenthe operating pedal 2 rotates in a direction in which the pad portion 2a moves toward one side in the first direction D, the moving body 30moves toward one side in the first direction D, and when the operatingpedal 2 rotates in a direction in which the pad portion 2 a moves towardthe other side in the first direction D, the moving body 30 moves towardthe other side in the first direction D.

The resilient member 32 is a coil spring. The resilient member 32includes a coil portion 32 a and ends 32 c and 32 d. The coil portion 32a may expand and contract in the first direction D. The end 32 c isincluded in a tip end of a rod-shaped portion linearly extending fromthe coil portion 32 a toward one side in the first direction D. The end32 d is included in a tip end of a rod-shaped portion linearly extendingfrom the coil portion 32 a toward the other side in the first directionD. The end 32 d is connected (fixed) to a central portion of the movingbody 30. That is, the resilient member 32 is connected to the operatingpedal 2 via the moving body 30, the connecting member 31, and the clevis33. The resilient member 32 moves together with the moving body 30 inthe first direction D in accordance with the movement of the operatingpedal 2. That is, in a case where the operating pedal 2 rotates in thedirection in which the pad portion 2 a moves toward one side in thefirst direction D, the resilient member 32 moves together with themoving body 30 toward one side in the first direction D, and in a casewhere the operating pedal 2 rotates in the direction in which the padportion 2 a moves toward the other side in the first direction D, theresilient member 32 moves together with the moving body 30 toward theother side in the first direction D. Meanwhile, the resilient member 32may be a plate spring or the like.

The plate-shaped member 20 is put into the inner space of thecylindrical portion 10 a and is located between the resilient member 32and the wall portion 10 b. The plate-shaped member 20 is formed into adisk shape extending in the direction orthogonal to the first directionD. That is, the plate-shaped member 20 is formed into a plate shape witha thickness direction in the first direction D.

The plate-shaped member 20 includes a first surface 20 a on one side inthe first direction D, a second surface 20 b on the other side in thefirst direction D, that is, on a side opposite to the first surface 20a, and an outer peripheral edge 20 c extending between the first andsecond surfaces 20 a and 20 b. The first surface 20 a and the secondsurface 20 b are formed into a circular shape extending in the directionorthogonal to the first direction D. The plate-shaped member 20 issupported by the cylindrical portion 10 a so as to be movable (slidable)in the first direction D. The end 32 c of the resilient member 32 isconnected to a central portion 20 d of the second surface 20 b. As anexample, the central portion 20 d of the second surface 20 b and the end32 c of the resilient member 32 are fixed to each other. The operatingforce is input from the operating pedal 2 to the central portion 20 d ofthe second surface 20 b via the resilient member 32 toward one side inthe first direction D. The central portion 20 d of the second surface 20b is included in a central portion 20 e of the plate-shaped member 20.Also, in this embodiment, the plate-shaped member 20 is formed of aplurality of members (main body 21 and magnet 50). The main body 21includes the first surface 20 a, the second surface 20 b, and a part ofthe outer peripheral edge 20 c. The main body 21 may be made of, forexample, a metal material. The magnet 50 includes a part of the outerperipheral edge 20 c and is fixed to the main body 21. The plate-shapedmember 20 may also be referred to as a strain body.

The limiting unit 13 includes a plurality of resilient members 40. Theplurality of resilient members 40 is put into the inner space of thecylindrical portion 10 a and interposed between the first surface 20 aof the plate-shaped member 20 and the wall portion 10 b of the supportunit 10. The plurality of resilient members 40 is located at an intervalaround the central axis Ax. In this embodiment, as an example, tworesilient members 40 are provided, and the central axis Ax is positionedbetween the two resilient members 40.

The resilient member 40 includes a coil portion 40 a and ends 40 c and40 d. The coil portion 40 a may expand and contract in the firstdirection D. The end 40 c is included in a tip end of a rod-shapedportion linearly extending from the coil portion 40 a toward one side inthe first direction D. The end 40 d is included in a tip end of arod-shaped portion linearly extending from the coil portion 40 a towardthe other side in the first direction D. The end 40 c is connected(fixed) to the wall portion 10 b. The end 40 d is connected (fixed) tothe first surface 20 a of the plate-shaped member 20. In detail, theends 40 d of the plurality of resilient members 40 are connected to thefirst surface 20 a such that the plate-shaped member 20 deformsresiliently into a convex shape (FIG. 5) having an apex portion at thecentral portion 20 f of the first surface 20 a in a case where theoperating force is input from the resilient member 32 to theplate-shaped member 20. As an example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4,the ends 40 d of the plurality of resilient members 40 are connected tothe first surface 20 a in positions separated from a connecting portion20 g between the second surface 20 b and the resilient member 32, thepositions between which the connecting portion 20 g is located as seenin the first direction D. The resilient member 40 is compressed by theoperating force input from the plate-shaped member 20, and generates aresilient force to push the plate-shaped member 20 toward the other sidein the first direction D. The limiting unit 13 limits the movement ofthe plate-shaped member 20 toward one side in the first direction D bythe plurality of resilient members 40. Meanwhile, a spring constant ofthe resilient member 40 may be the same as or different from a springconstant of the resilient member 32. Also, the resilient member 32 maybe a plate spring or the like.

The resilient portion 15 includes the resilient members 32 and 40. Thatis, the resilient portion 15 is connected to the plate-shaped member 20.Also, when the operating force is input, the resilient members 32 and 40generate the resilient force against the operating force, that is, areaction force.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the operating force detecting unit 11includes the plate-shaped member 20 and a plurality of (four as oneexample) strain detecting elements 22 provided on the plate-shapedmember 20. The operating force detecting unit 11 detects straingenerated in the plate-shaped member 20 by the strain detecting elements22, and detects the operating force on the basis of the detected strain.The strain detecting element 22 may be formed of a strain gauge. As anexample, in this embodiment, two strain detecting elements 22 are fixedto each of the first surface 20 a and the second surface 20 b of theplate-shaped member 20. Each strain detecting element 22 is fixed to theplate-shaped member 20 at a position closer to the central portion 20 eof the plate-shaped member 20 between the central portion 20 e of theplate-shaped member 20 and the outer peripheral edge 20 c of theplate-shaped member 20. In a case where the plate-shaped member 20deforms resiliently into the convex shape having the apex portion at thecentral portion 20 f of the first surface 20 a, the two strain detectingelements 22 fixed to the first surface 20 a are subjected to tensiondeformation, and the two strain detecting elements 22 fixed to thesecond surface 20 b are subjected to compression deformation. Also, theoperating force detecting unit 11 includes a detecting circuit includinga bridge circuit formed of a plurality of strain detecting elements 22.The detecting circuit outputs an electric signal (operating force)corresponding to the strain of the plate-shaped member 20.

The operating amount detecting unit 14 detects the movement of theplate-shaped member 20 in the first direction D and detects theoperating amount of the operating pedal 2 on the basis of the detectedmovement of the plate-shaped member 20. In detail, the operating amountdetecting unit 14 includes the magnet 50 and a detecting circuit 51. Themagnet 50 is included in the plate-shaped member 20. The detectingcircuit 51 is fixed to an outer surface of the cylindrical portion 10 aof the support unit 10. When the magnet 50 (plate-shaped member 20)moves in the first direction D, a magnetic force of the magnet 50 actingon the detecting circuit 51 changes. The detecting circuit 51 detectsthe change in magnetic force according to the change in the position ofthe magnet 50, detects a moving amount (displacing amount) from aninitial position of the plate-shaped member 20 on the basis of thedetected change in magnetic force, and outputs an electric signal(operating amount) corresponding to the detected moving amount of theplate-shaped member 20. Herein, the initial position of the plate-shapedmember 20 is the position (FIG. 2) in a case where the operating forcedoes not act. Meanwhile, a configuration of the operating amountdetecting unit 14 is not limited to that which detects the movement ofthe plate-shaped member 20 in the first direction D using the magneticforce. For example, the operating amount detecting unit 14 may beconfigured to optically detect the movement of the plate-shaped member20 in the first direction D or the like.

In the above-described configuration, when the operating pedal 2 isdepressed toward one side in the first direction D by the operator, theoperating force transmitted from the operating pedal 2 to the movingbody 30 via the connecting member 31 pushes the moving body 30, theresilient member 32, the plate-shaped member 20, and the resilientmember 40 toward one side in the first direction D. At that time, asillustrated in FIG. 5, the moving body 30, the resilient member 32, andthe plate-shaped member 20 move toward one side in the first directionD. Also, at that time, the resilient members 32 and 40 are subjected tocompression deformation to generate a force to push the operating pedal2 toward the other side in the first direction D, that is, the resilientforce serving as the reaction force of the operating force. Also, atthat time, the plate-shaped member 20 deforms resiliently into theconvex shape having the apex portion at the central portion 20 f of thefirst surface 20 a. That is, strain is generated in the plate-shapedmember 20. The operating amount detecting unit 14 detects the straingenerated in the plate-shaped member 20 by the strain detecting element22, and detects the operating force on the basis of the detected strain.Also, the operating amount detecting unit 14 detects the movement of theplate-shaped member 20 in the first direction D, and detects theoperating amount of the operating pedal 2 on the basis of the detectedmovement of the plate-shaped member 20.

As described above, in the embodiment, the resilient member 32 isconnected to the central portion 20 d of the second surface 20 b, andthe operating force is input from the operating pedal 2 to the centralportion 20 d of the second surface 20 b toward one side in the firstdirection D. Also the limiting unit 13 is connected to the secondsurface 20 b such that the plate-shaped member 20 deforms resilientlyinto the convex shape having the apex portion at the central portion 20f of the first surface 20 a in a case where the operating force is inputfrom the resilient member 32 to the plate-shaped member 20. Therefore,for example, in a case where the operating force is input from theresilient member 32 to the plate-shaped member 20, the plate-shapedmember 20 deforms resiliently into the convex shape having the apexportion at the central portion 20 f of the first surface 20 a. As aresult, an eccentric load is inhibited from acting on the plate-shapedmember 20, so that the deformation having the apex portion at a portionother than the central portion 20 e may not occur. Therefore, detectionaccuracy of the strain generated in the plate-shaped member 20 is easilyimproved. Therefore, detection accuracy of the operating force input tothe operating pedal 2 is easily improved. Also, as a contact areabetween the resilient member 32 and the plate-shaped member 20 isnarrower, a biased load is less likely to be applied to the plate-shapedmember 20, so that the detection accuracy of the strain generated in theplate-shaped member 20 is easily improved.

Also, in this embodiment, the strain detecting element 22 is fixed tothe plate-shaped member 20 at a position closer to the central portion20 e of the plate-shaped member 20 between the central portion 20 e ofthe plate-shaped member 20 and the outer peripheral edge 20 c of theplate-shaped member 20 and detects the strain generated in theplate-shaped member 20. Therefore, for example, the detection accuracyof the strain generated in the plate-shaped member 20 is easilyimproved. Therefore, detection accuracy of the operating force input tothe operating pedal 2 is easily improved. Also, since the resilientmember 32 and the plate-shaped member 20 are connected to each other inthe central portion 20 e of the plate-shaped member 20, and the straindetecting elements 22 are fixed around the central portion 20 e of theplate-shaped member 20, in a case where the operating force is inputfrom the resilient member 32 to the plate-shaped member 20, a strainamount of the strain detecting element 22 may be increased, so that thedetection accuracy of the strain generated in the plate-shaped member 20may be easily improved.

Also, in this embodiment, the resilient portion 15 includes theresilient member 40 connected toward the first surface 20 a to push theplate-shaped member 20 toward the other side in the first direction D.Therefore, for example, the reaction force of the operating force inputto the operating pedal 2 may be generated by the resilient member 40.

Also, in this embodiment, the operating amount detecting unit 14 detectsthe movement of the plate-shaped member 20 in the first direction D, anddetects the operating amount of the operating pedal 2 on the basis ofthe detected movement. Therefore, for example, since the plate-shapedmember 20 is used for detecting the operating force and detecting theoperating amount, it is easy to inhibit the pedal operation detectingdevice 3 from becoming large.

Also, in this embodiment, the resilient member 40 is connected to thefirst surface 20 a at a position separated from the connecting portion20 g between the second surface 20 b and the resilient member 32 as seenin the first direction D. Therefore, for example, it is possible togenerate strain in a portion between the resilient member 32 and theresilient member 40 in the plate-shaped member 20.

Also, in this embodiment, since the resilient portion 15 is integrallyprovided on the pedal operation detecting device 3, compared with a casewhere the resilient portion 15 is provided separately from the pedaloperation detecting device 3, the pedal device 1 may be easily madecompact.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the number of resilient members 40 is notlimited to two, and may be three or more. In this case, three or moreresilient members 40 may be located at regular intervals around thecentral axis Ax.

Second Embodiment

A pedal device 1 of this embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 has aconfiguration similar to that of the pedal device 1 of the firstembodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment also, the similar effect basedon the configuration similar to that of the first embodiment may beobtained.

However, in this embodiment, an input unit 12 of a pedal operationdetecting device 3 is provided with a rod-shaped member 34 in place of aresilient member 32. The rod-shaped member 34 is put into an inner spaceof a cylindrical portion 10 a. The rod-shaped member 34 extends in afirst direction D. The rod-shaped member 34 includes an end 34 c on oneside in the first direction D and an end 34 d on the other side in thefirst direction D. The end 34 d is connected (fixed) to a centralportion of a moving body 30. That is, the rod-shaped member 34 isconnected to an operating pedal 2 via the moving body 30, a connectingmember 31 and a clevis 33. The end 34 c is connected to a centralportion 20 d of a second surface 20 b of a plate-shaped member 20. As anexample, the end 34 c and the central portion 20 d of the second surface20 b are fixed to each other. Also, in this embodiment, a resilientportion 15 is formed of a plurality of resilient members 40.

In the above-described configuration, in a case where the operatingpedal 2 is depressed toward one side in the first direction D by anoperator, an operating force transmitted from the operating pedal 2 tothe moving body 30 via the connecting member 31 pushes the moving body30, the rod-shaped member 34, the plate-shaped member 20, and theresilient member 40 toward one side in the first direction D. At thattime, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the moving body 30, the rod-shapedmember 34, and the plate-shaped member 20 move toward one side in thefirst direction D. Also, at that time, the resilient member 40 issubjected to compression deformation and generates a force to push theoperating pedal 2 toward the other side in the first direction D, thatis, a resilient force serving as a reaction force of the operatingforce. At that time, the plate-shaped member 20 deforms resiliently intoa convex shape having an apex portion at a central portion 20 f of thefirst surface 20 a. That is, strain is generated in the plate-shapedmember 20.

As described above, in this embodiment, since an input member is therod-shaped member 34, a deformation response of the plate-shaped member20 with respect to the operating force is easily improved. Therefore, aresponse of the operating amount detecting unit 14 and the operatingamount detecting unit 14 is easily improved.

Third Embodiment

A pedal device 1 of this embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 has aconfiguration similar to that of the pedal device 1 of the firstembodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment also, the similar effect basedon the configuration similar to that of the first embodiment may beobtained.

However, in this embodiment, a limiting unit 13 of a pedal operationdetecting device 3 is provided with one resilient member 41 in place ofa plurality of resilient members 40. The resilient member 41 is put intoan inner space of a cylindrical portion 10 a and is interposed between afirst surface 20 a of a plate-shaped member 20 and a wall portion 10 bof a support unit 10. The resilient member 41 includes a coil portion 41a and ends 41 c and 41 d. The coil portion 41 a may expand and contractin a first direction D. The coil portion 41 a is formed into a spiralshape around a central axis Ax. The end 41 c is included in a portion onone side in the first direction D of the coil portion 41 a and the end41 d is included in a portion on the other side in the first direction Dof the coil portion 41 a. The ends 41 c and 41 d are formed into a shapeto enclose the central axis Ax. For example, the ends 41 c and 41 d areformed into an annular shape or a C shape. The end 41 c is connected(fixed) to the wall portion 10 b, and the end 40 d is connected (fixed)to the first surface 20 a of the plate-shaped member 20.

Also, the end 41 d of the resilient member 41 is connected to the firstsurface 20 a such that the plate-shaped member 20 deforms resilientlyinto a convex shape (FIG. 9) having an apex portion at a central portion20 f of the first surface 20 a in a case where the operating force isinput from the resilient member 32 to the plate-shaped member 20. As anexample, in this embodiment, the end 41 d is connected to the firstsurface 20 a in a position separated from a connecting portion 20 gbetween the second surface 20 b and the resilient member 32, theposition enclosing the connecting portion 20 g between the secondsurface 20 d and the resilient member 32 as seen in the first directionD. The resilient member 41 is compressed resiliently by the operatingforce input from the plate-shaped member 20, and generates a resilientforce to push the plate-shaped member 20 toward the other side in thefirst direction D. The limiting unit 13 limits the movement of theplate-shaped member 20 toward one side in the first direction D by theresilient member 41.

Also, in this embodiment, the resilient portion 15 is formed of aresilient member 32 and the resilient member 41.

In the above-described configuration, when the operating pedal 2 isdepressed toward one side in the first direction D by an operator, theoperating force transmitted from the operating pedal 2 to a moving body30 via a connecting member 31 pushes the moving body 30, the resilientmember 32, the plate-shaped member 20, and the resilient member 41toward one side in the first direction D. At that time, as illustratedin FIG. 9, the moving body 30, the resilient member 32, and theplate-shaped member 20 move toward one side in the first direction D.Also, at that time, the resilient members 32 and 41 are subjected tocompression deformation to generate a force to push the operating pedal2 toward the other side in the first direction D, that is, the resilientforce serving as the reaction force of the operating force. At thattime, the plate-shaped member 20 deforms resiliently into a convex shapehaving an apex portion at a central portion 20 f of the first surface 20a. That is, strain is generated in the plate-shaped member 20.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the limiting unit 13 isformed of one resilient member 41, a configuration of the limiting unit13 may be easily simplified.

Fourth Embodiment

A pedal device 1 of this embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 has aconfiguration similar to that of the pedal device 1 of the firstembodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment also, the similar effect basedon the configuration similar to that of the first embodiment may beobtained.

However, in this embodiment, an operating amount detecting unit 14 isnot provided. Also, a plate-shaped member 20 is fixed to a support unit10 so as to be resiliently deformable. In detail, an outer peripheraledge 20 c of the plate-shaped member 20 is fixed to a cylindricalportion 10 a of the support unit 10. As an example, an entire outerperipheral edge 20 c is fixed to the cylindrical portion 10 a. Also, amagnet 50 is not provided on the plate-shaped member 20, and theplate-shaped member 20 is formed of a main body 21.

Also, in this embodiment, a plurality of resilient members 40 is notprovided. In this embodiment, a limiting unit 13 is formed of thecylindrical portion 10 a (support unit 10), and limits movement of theplate-shaped member 20 toward one side in a first direction D by thecylindrical portion 10 a. Also, in this embodiment, a resilient portion15 is formed of a resilient member 32.

In the above-described configuration, when the operating pedal 2 isdepressed toward one side in the first direction D by an operator, theoperating force transmitted from the operating pedal 2 to a moving body30 via a connecting member 31 pushes the moving body 30, a resilientmember 32, and the plate-shaped member 20 toward one side in the firstdirection D. At that time, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the moving body 30and the resilient member 32 move toward one side in the first directionD. Also, at that time, the resilient member 32 is subjected tocompression deformation and generates a force to push the operatingpedal 2 toward the other side in the first direction D, that is, aresilient force serving as a reaction force of the operating force. Atthat time, the plate-shaped member 20 deforms resiliently into a convexshape having an apex portion at a central portion 20 f of the firstsurface 20 a. That is, the cylindrical portion 10 a is connected to theplate-shaped member 20 such that the plate-shaped member 20 deformsresiliently into the convex shape having the apex portion at the centralportion 20 f of the first surface 20 a in a case where the operatingforce is input from the resilient member 32 to the plate-shaped member20.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the operating amountdetecting unit 14 is not provided, a configuration of a pedal operationdetecting device 3 may be easily simplified.

Fifth Embodiment

A pedal device 1 of this embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 has aconfiguration similar to that of the pedal device 1 of the fourthembodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment also, the similar effect basedon the configuration similar to that of the fourth embodiment may beobtained.

However, in this embodiment, an input unit 12 of a pedal operationdetecting device 3 is provided with a rod-shaped member 34 in place of aresilient member 32. The rod-shaped member 34 has a configuration andarrangement similar to those of the rod-shaped member 34 of the secondembodiment.

Also, in this embodiment, a resilient portion 15 includes one resilientmember 40A. The resilient member 40A is put into an inner space of acylindrical portion 10 a and is interposed between a first surface 20 aof a plate-shaped member 20 and a wall portion 10 b of a support unit10. The resilient member 40A includes a coil portion 40 a and ends 40 cand 40 d. The coil portion 40 a may expand and contract in the firstdirection D. The end 40 c is included in a tip end of a rod-shapedportion linearly extending from the coil portion 40 a toward one side inthe first direction D. The end 40 d is included in a tip end of arod-shaped portion linearly extending from the coil portion 40 a towardthe other side in the first direction D. The end 40 c is connected(fixed) to a central portion of the wall portion 10 b. The end 40 d isconnected (fixed) to a central portion 20 f of the first surface 20 a ofthe plate-shaped member 20. The resilient member 40A is compressedresiliently by the operating force input from the plate-shaped member20, and generates a resilient force to push the plate-shaped member 20toward the other side in the first direction D.

In the above-described configuration, in a case where an operating pedal2 is depressed toward one side in the first direction D by an operator,an operating force transmitted from the operating pedal 2 to a movingbody 30 via a connecting member 31 pushes a moving body 30, a rod-shapedmember 34, the plate-shaped member 20, and the resilient member 40Atoward one side in the first direction D. At that time, as illustratedin FIG. 13, the moving body 30, the rod-shaped member 34, and theplate-shaped member 20 move toward one side in the first direction D.Also, at that time, the resilient member 40A is subjected to compressiondeformation and generates a force to push the operating pedal 2 towardthe other side in the first direction D, that is, a resilient forceserving as a reaction force of the operating force. At that time, theplate-shaped member 20 deforms resiliently into a convex shape having anapex portion at a central portion 20 f of the first surface 20 a. Thatis, strain is generated in the plate-shaped member 20.

As described above, in this embodiment, since an input member is therod-shaped member 34, a deformation response of the plate-shaped member20 with respect to the operating force is easily improved. Therefore, aresponse of the operating amount detecting unit 14 is easily improved.

Sixth Embodiment

A pedal device 1 of this embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 has aconfiguration similar to that of the pedal device 1 of the fourthembodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment also, the similar effect basedon the configuration similar to that of the fourth embodiment may beobtained.

However, in this embodiment, a resilient portion 15 includes a resilientmember 40A in addition to a resilient member 32. The resilient member40A has a configuration and arrangement similar to those in the fifthembodiment.

In the above-described configuration, when an operating pedal 2 isdepressed toward one side in a first direction D by an operator, anoperating force transmitted from the operating pedal 2 to a moving body30 via a connecting member 31 pushes the moving body 30, the resilientmember 32, the plate-shaped member 20, and the resilient member 40Atoward one side in the first direction D. At that time, as illustratedin FIG. 15, the moving body 30 and the resilient member 32 move towardone side in the first direction D. Also, at that time, the resilientmembers 32 and 40A are subjected to compression deformation and generatea force to push the operating pedal 2 toward the other side in the firstdirection D, that is, a resilient force serving as a reaction force ofthe operating force. At that time, the plate-shaped member 20 deformsresiliently into a convex shape having an apex portion at a centralportion 20 f of the first surface 20 a. That is, strain is generated inthe plate-shaped member 20.

Meanwhile, in the above description, numbers such as “first” and“second” are attached to some components, but these numbers are attachedfor convenience of explanation, and may be appropriately exchanged.

Although the embodiments of the present invention are exemplified above,the embodiments described above are merely an example, and it is notintended to limit the scope of the invention. The above-describedembodiments may be implemented in various other forms, and variouslyomitted, replaced, combined, and changed without departing from the gistof the invention. Also, the specifications (structure, type, direction,shape, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement,position, material and the like) such as a configuration and a shape maybe appropriately changed to be implemented. For example, theplate-shaped member 20 may be polygonal.

1. A pedal operation detecting device comprising: a support unit; aninput member connected to an operating pedal which moves with respect tothe support unit when an operating force is input to move in a firstdirection in accordance with the movement of the operating pedal; aplate-shaped member in a plate shape with a thickness direction in thefirst direction including a first surface on one side in the firstdirection and a second surface on the other side in the first directionwith the input member connected to a central portion of the secondsurface to input the operating force from the operating pedal to thecentral portion of the second surface toward one side in the firstdirection; a limiting unit connected to the plate-shaped member suchthat the plate-shaped member deforms resiliently into a convex shapehaving an apex portion at a central portion of the first surface whenthe operating force is input from the input member to the plate-shapedmember, the limiting unit limiting movement of the plate-shaped membertoward one side in the first direction; a resilient portion connected tothe plate-shaped member to generate a resilient force against theoperating force; and an operating force detecting unit that detectsstrain generated in the plate-shaped member and detects the operatingforce on the basis of the detected strain.
 2. The pedal operationdetecting device according to claim 1, wherein the operating forcedetecting unit includes a strain detecting element fixed to theplate-shaped member at a position close to a central portion of theplate-shaped member between the central portion of the plate-shapedmember and an outer peripheral edge of the plate-shaped member to detectthe strain generated in the plate-shaped member.
 3. The pedal operationdetecting device according to claim 1, wherein the resilient portionincludes a resilient member connected to the first surface and pushesthe plate-shaped member toward the other side in the first direction. 4.The pedal operation detecting device according to claim 3, comprising anoperating amount detecting unit, wherein the support unit supports theplate-shaped member so as to be movable in the first direction, theresilient member is interposed between the support unit and the firstsurface, and the operating amount detecting unit detects the movement ofthe plate-shaped member in the first direction and detects an operatingamount of the operating pedal on the basis of the detected movement ofthe plate-shaped member.
 5. The pedal operation detecting deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the resilient member is connected to thefirst surface in a position separated from a connecting portion betweenthe second surface and the input member as seen in the first direction.6. The pedal operation detecting device according to claim 4, whereinthe resilient member is connected to the first surface in a positionseparated from a connecting portion between the second surface and theinput member as seen in the first direction.
 7. The pedal operationdetecting device according to claim 2, wherein the resilient portionincludes a resilient member connected to the first surface and pushesthe plate-shaped member toward the other side in the first direction. 8.The pedal operation detecting device according to claim 7, wherein theresilient member is connected to the first surface in a positionseparated from a connecting portion between the second surface and theinput member as seen in the first direction.
 9. The pedal operationdetecting device according to claim 7, comprising an operating amountdetecting unit, wherein the support unit supports the plate-shapedmember so as to be movable in the first direction, the resilient memberis interposed between the support unit and the first surface, and theoperating amount detecting unit detects the movement of the plate-shapedmember in the first direction and detects an operating amount of theoperating pedal on the basis of the detected movement of theplate-shaped member.
 10. The pedal operation detecting device accordingto claim 9, wherein the resilient member is connected to the firstsurface in a position separated from a connecting portion between thesecond surface and the input member as seen in the first direction.